BALTIMORE -- The Washington Redskins abandoned their usual formula for victory -- the passing of Kirk Cousins -- to extend their winning streak to three.
Washington used an 85-yard punt return by Jamison Crowder and an uncharacteristically strong performance by its defense to beat the Baltimore Ravens 16-10 on Sunday.
The Redskins (3-2) allowed 108 points in their first four games and came in with the league's 29th-ranked defense. In this one, Washington gave up a touchdown on the game's opening drive and smothered the Ravens (3-2) the rest of the way.
"The defense stepped up," coach Jay Gruden said. "The first drive was a little scary. Here we go again. But we came back, took it personal and played well."
The game wasn't decided until the final minute, when an apparent 23-yard touchdown catch by Baltimore's Breshad Perriman was overturned by replay. Perriman got his right foot down in the end zone, but his left foot was out of bounds.
That put an appropriate end to a miserable day for the Ravens offense, which was limited to 125 yards after halftime.
Philadelphia Eagles
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"We can't play like that and win," coach John Harbaugh said. "We have to be better than we were today." (see full recap).
Brady passes for 406 yards in return as Patriots dominate Browns
CLEVELAND -- Tom Brady, looking razor-sharp at times and relatively rust-free after serving his four-game "Deflategate" suspension, passed for 406 yards and three touchdowns to Martellus Bennett in his hyped return and the New England Patriots thumped the Cleveland Browns 33-13 on Sunday.
Brady was back -- much to the relief of teammates and New England fans everywhere -- following a ban for his role in the scandal in which an NFL investigation found the Patriots under-inflated footballs in the 2015 AFC championship game.
Brady fought Commissioner Roger Goodell's ruling for more than a year before he begrudgingly accepted his punishment.
He took out some of that built-up frustration on the Browns (0-5), throwing for 271 yards in the first half, as the Patriots (4-1) rebounded after being shut out last week at home by Buffalo.
Brady threw two short TD passes in the first half to Bennett before hooking up with his new teammate again on a 37-yarder to give the Patriots a 30-7 lead in the third quarter.
Brady seemed to enjoy every second of his season debut, even posing like track star Usain Bolt after a 4-yard run. Coach Bill Belichick replaced Brady with 6:02 left, greeting him on the sideline with a handshake and pat on the back (see full recap).
Former Eagle Sam Bradford helps Vikings stay undefeated against Texans
MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Thielen caught a touchdown pass to cap Minnesota's opening drive and finished with a career-high 127 yards, and the Vikings defense flustered Brock Osweiler and the Houston Texans on their way to a 31-13 victory on Sunday.
Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and Cordarelle Patterson scored on another sharp throw by Sam Bradford, who produced another turnover-free game and deftly guided the Vikings (5-0) into their bye week.
Brock Osweiler was overmatched by Minnesota's relentless rush and coverage, finishing 19 for 42 for 184 yards, one interception and a late touchdown pass while taking four sacks. The Texans (3-2) were denied on 12 of 13 third downs, unable or unwilling to do much other than dump off short passes. Lamar Miller only had eight carries for 20 yards during a dud of a performance by the Texans that felt a lot like the 27-0 loss at New England two weeks ago (see full recap).
